One study found that the average 65-year-old can expect an additional 12.7 years of healthy life –- meaning he will live disability-free until age 77.7. Highly active 65-years-olds, however, have an additional 5.7 years of healthy life expectancy –- they will remain disability free until age 83.4.

Another study found that increasing physical activity after age 50 can add years to one’s life. In the study, individuals with and without cardiovascular disease were compared by the amount of physical activity they did. Men who were moderately active added 1.3 years to their lives and those who were highly active added 3.7 years. Women who were moderately active added 1.1 years and those were highly active added 3.2 years. In addition, people who exercised more also lived more years free of cardiovascular disease. While moderate exercise increases life expectancy, highly active people more than doubled the benefits.

So get out there today and get moving! Even if its a walk, make it a minimum of 30 minutes and move quickly. When you see a bench, don’t sit! Do a few elevated push ups and dips before moving on, or make that your turn around point. These small things add up and affect the quality of your life. Enjoy your health with exercise, and happiness and fitness will be the result of the way you live.

The view of our backyard after a nice set of sandbag vs double unders, polished off by some myofascial release on the foam roller.